McCann eventually pleaded no contest to a perjury charge to avoid the potential of a life sentence he was facing if found guilty. Raymond McCann served 20 months for perjury after taking a plea deal in what a federal lawsuit claims was a scheme to manufacture charges to pressure him into confessing to the 2007 murder of. The detective then persuaded the county prosecutor to issue a subpoena to require McCann to testify under oath concerning his whereabouts at the time of Parracks disappearance. us about an exoneration that we may have missed, Correct an error or add information about an exoneration Copyright 2019 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. McCann said under oath that he had parked at the trailhead and was prepared to search for Parrack there when he got a call and went elsewhere. After spending 11 months in jail awaiting trial and facing a potential life sentence, McCann pleaded no contest to the count involving the Tumble Dam, believing he had no chance of acquittal if there was a video that contradicted his recollection, especially in a community convinced he had murdered Jodi Parrack. McCanns exoneration marks the end of a nightmare that began on Nov. 8, 2007, when 11-year-old Jodi Parrack was reported missing in the small town of Constantine, Michigan. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel approved the compensation reward for Raymond McCann under the states Wrongful Imprisonment Compensation Act or WICA. The girl got away and led authorities back to Daniel Furlong, who lived in Constantine at the time of Parracks murder. 312.503.2391 phone Bronx, NY 10465. We are grateful to John McDonough, said Gregory Swygert, the lead attorney from the Center on Wrongful Convictions team. The Michigan State Police detective testified under oath that video footage from a surveillance camera on a nearby factory proved McCann wasnt there that night. Police continued to pursue McCann aggressively for years even though DNA evidence found on the victim did not match McCann. In March of 2016, Moran agreed and lawyers and students from both projects launched a re-investigation in the case. All of the charges stemmed from minor discrepancies between McCanns recall of the events surrounding Parracks disappearance five years earlier and the recollections of others. I was a hostage, not a prisoner, and thats the way I felt, McCann, 50, says. After McCann was paroled from prison, Ken Kolker, a television reporter from WOODTV in Grand Rapids, contacted CWC attorney Steven Drizin and asked him to evaluate the interrogations of McCann. He filed a lawsuit last week in federal court. He is the child of Richard Stan Mccann and Lola Reatha Young Mccann . McCann denied any role in the 2007 death of Parrack, but he was interviewed 20 times by state and local police in St. Joseph County. These discoveries made it clear that the Michigan State Police detective, who had accused McCann of lying, had testified falsely about the video to Prosecutor McDonough. October 8, 2008, age 64. The other exonerated clients include Jamie Peterson (Kalkaska County) and Davontae Sanford (Wayne County). Police continued to pursue McCann aggressively for years even though DNA evidence found on the victim did not match McCann. CHICAGO - Christmas came two weeks early for Raymond McCann II when St. Joseph County, Michigan Circuit Court Judge Paul E. Stutesman signed an order today, Dec. 7, granting McCanns motion to vacate his 2012 perjury conviction. He became a person of interest in the case after he was one of several people to suggest searching the local cemetery. I knew Id get home sooner. On February 11, 2015, after being in jail for nearly a year, McCann entered a no-contest plea to the perjury charge that was based on the surveillance video. Devoted husband of Delores (nee LeDoux). This was one of the worst cases of police tunnel vision Ive ever seen. The perjury statute that coerced Ray to plead guilty needs to be changed. First, the students established that darkness made it impossible to tell whether McCanns car or any other specific cars were in the area near the Tumble Dam path. A Michigan State Police detective falsely told McCann they had evidence tying him to the murder, including that McCanns DNA was on Parracks body and Parracks DNA was in McCanns truck -- neither of which were true. (516) 569-4000, To donate or for more information, click here, Tyler Flach sentenced to 25 years to life for Khaseen Morris killing, Nassau County passes new legislative district map, MTA prepares for season's first snowstorm, Valley Stream smoke shop manager charged in sale of THC products, Powered by Creative Circle Media Solutions. They were still sure he was involved, despite everything saying otherwise., Says McCann: They were so deep in it with me that they had to continue with it.. Shortly after plaintiff's plea-based conviction, another man confessed to the murder of the 11-year-old girl. On December 7, 2017, St. Joseph County, Michigan Circuit Court Judge Paul E. Stutesman signed an order today granting Raymond McCann IIs motion to vacate his 2015 perjury conviction. After McCann was paroled from prison, Ken Kolker, a television reporter from WOODTV in Grand Rapids, contacted Steven Drizin, an attorney at Northwesterns Center on Wrongful Convictions, and asked him to evaluate the interrogations of McCann. He was 78. The big break in the case came as a result of brilliant work on the part of the Michigan Law students, Swygert said. After McCann was paroled from prison, Ken Kolker, a television reporter from WOODTV in Grand Rapids, contacted Steven Drizin, an attorney at Northwesterns Center on Wrongful Convictions, and asked him to evaluate the interrogations of McCann. He died in 1976 in Balw, Australia at 23 years old. The detective also lied about McCann to his family and friends in an apparent attempt to turn them against him and get McCann to confess. Case marks third with Michigan Innocence Clinic, all result in exonerations, From left to right: Amanda Kenner, James Mestichelli, David Moran, Raymond McCann, Greg Swygert, Rebecca Wyss. Ray has only stepped foot in this small town two or three times since being released, says his attorney. McCann had said hed briefly stopped that night to search at a trailhead near a ruin where kids often hung out, and then he was called away. Drizin recruited his CWC colleagues Greg Swygert and Megan Crane, students Courtney Cronin and Caroline McMahon, David Moran, Director of the Michigan Innocence Clinic, to work on the case. For the most accurate data, please search on the Detailed View page. Following McCanns arrest, Furlong said, I thought I was in the clear, according to a videotape of his confession obtained by WOODTV. It was a long process. I lost my family, I lost my son Ive only seen him three times since I got out. He missed a grandchilds birth, and his sons high school graduation. A closer look at the video footage also revealed that it could not have captured McCanns car because the cameras were not facing the direction of the path to the Tumble Dam. 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On the day Parrack went missing, McCann who knew the victim and her family well told at least four people that they should search the local cemetery, a suggestion also made by others. Mr. McCanns case marks the Center on Wrongful Convictions third partnership with the Michigan Innocence Clinic, all of which have resulted in exonerations. All content Copyright 2023 WBND. Despite intense pressure, McCann insisted that he was innocent. We welcome new information from any source about exonerations already on our list and about cases not in the Registry that might be exonerations. information about the Registry, Perjury or False Accusation, Official Misconduct, Inadequate Legal Defense. After spending 11 months in jail awaiting trial and facing a potential life sentence, McCann pleaded no contest to the count involving the Tumble Dam, believing he had no chance of acquittal if there was a video that contradicted his recollection, especially in a community convinced he had murdered Jodi Parrack. This case highlights the dangers of how strong tunnel can be. Maybe if he sits in jail for a while, he will cooperate.. He became a person of interest in the case after he was one of several people to suggest searching the local cemetery. The detective also told lies about McCann to his family members and friends, going so far as to tell McCanns teenage son that McCann was a drug addict, in an apparent attempt to turn his family and friends against him and get McCann to confess. Raymond was a graduate of Istrouma High School class of 1962 and Louisiana State University class of 1966. The detectives were so desperate to solve this case and so blinded by their belief that McCann must have been involved, they ignored powerful evidence pointing to his innocence.. He became a person of interest after he was one of several people to suggest searching the local cemetery. Even my sister turned against me at the time, he says. After spending 11 months in jail awaiting trial and facing a potential life sentence, McCann pled no contest to the count involving the Tumble Dam. I wasnt going to take the chance of going to trial and being charged with life. Offered a deal that would lock him up for 20 months with credit for time already served, he accepted and pleaded no contest in March 2015. The girl got away and led authorities back to Daniel Furlong. After New York state repealed a law that kept NYPD disciplinary records secret, ProPublica obtained data from the civilian board that investigates complaints about police behavior. I felt like I was set up from day one.. Under interrogation, Furlong insisted he did not know McCann and told the authorities that when he learned that McCann had been arrested, he believed he was in the clear.. When I got out of prison, I went through a lot of depression wondering why this happened, he says. Under terms of the settlement announced today, McCann admits no wrongdoing or liability. 3535 East Tremont Avenue. The Michigan State Police detective testified under oath that video footage from a surveillance camera on a nearby factory proved McCann was never there that night. Four Winds Casino South Bend celebrates hotel grand opening, St. Joe High School basketball player shares his story after overcoming gun violence, Brey preps for final home game as head coach of Notre Dame men's basketball, Free virtual workshop on housing and lending laws, Indiana Toll Road reopens after large police presence. Constantine police officers and detectives from a Michigan State Police task force questioned McCann nearly two dozen times over nearly five years after Parracks body was discovered. He told investigators he did not know McCann. Christmas came two weeks early for Raymond McCann II when St. Joseph County, Michigan Circuit Court Judge Paul E. Stutesman signed an order today granting McCanns motion to vacate his 2012 perjury conviction. On December 7, 2017, St. Joseph County, Michigan Circuit Court Judge Paul E. Stutesman signed an order today granting Raymond McCann IIs motion to vacate his 2015 perjury conviction. This page only includes allegations against this person for which the CCRB has completed its investigation. The girl got away and led authorities back to Daniel Furlong. One of the perjury counts stemmed from McCanns testimony that he had searched for Parrack at the Tumble Dam, a ruin where Constantine kids often hung out. All of the charges stemmed from minor discrepancies between McCanns recall of the events surrounding Parracks disappearance five years earlier and the recollections of others. While elated that his legal nightmare is finally over, McCann is still trying to put the pieces of his life back together. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel approved the. Lonnie Palmer and MSP Lt. Shane Criger as defendants. Even Judge Stutesman, who accepted the plea and sentenced Ray has said the law is terrible.. A reporter who followed the case, Ken Kolker of WOOD TV in Grand Rapids, helped bring McCanns experience to the attention of the wrongful conviction programs at Northwestern and Michigan. Despite intense pressure, McCann insisted he was innocent. This was one of the worst cases of police tunnelvision Ive ever seen, said Drizin. The murder of Jodi Parrack has been a subject of ongoing investigation and debate in Michigan since the 11-year-old was murdered in November of 2007. In 2014, the prosecutor then charged McCann with perjury during a murder investigation, which carries a life sentence. The motion was filed by theCenter on Wrongful Convictionsat Northwestern Pritzker School of Law and theMichigan Innocence Clinicat the University of Michigan Law School, and was joined by St. Joseph County Prosecutor John McDonough, who stipulated that the motion should be granted and the charges dropped. Loving step-father of Mark (Lori) Subelsky and Steven (Shelley) Subelsky. Named a suspect and jailed for 20 months on a plea deal after the prosecutor said he lied while under investigation, McCann last month saw his conviction vacated after the prosecutor agreed to drop the charge. Furlong, who lived in Constantine at the time of Parracks murder, eventually admitted killing Parrack eight years earlier, and a subsequent DNA test on Furlong matched DNA found on Parrack. He said he then grabbed her and put her in the back of a boat in his garage, where he sexually assaulted her after he zip-tied her hands behind her back. Northwestern recognized for internationalization amid high demand for global education, Hes helping young musicians bridge the gap between art and business, Trethewey named to the Academy of American Poets, How the second-longest US government shutdown is affecting the economy, Learning to write like a president sounds. After spending 11 months in jail awaiting trial and facing a potential life sentence, McCann pled no contest to the count involving the Tumble Dam. Suspicion and accusation had raised doubts, and the town and McCanns own family turned against him. It took him 10 years to prove it. The website is updated daily, frequently with exonerations that occurred in the past. The girl got away and led authorities back to Daniel Furlong. Brother of the late A The motion was filed by the Center on Wrongful Convictionsat Northwestern Law and the Michigan Innocence Clinicat the University of Michigan Law School and was joined by St. Joseph County Prosecutor John McDonough who stipulated that the motion should be granted and the charges dropped. CENTREVILLE, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - A man who has been a suspect in the Jody Parrack murder investigation has been sentenced on a perjury charge. I didnt want to, but I had to, he says. Evanston, IL 60201. McCanns exoneration marks the end of a nightmare that began on November 8, 2007, when 11-year-old Jodi Parrack was reported missing in the small town of Constantine, Michigan. If she wasnt found there, wed just continue to look, he tells PEOPLE now. Weve pretty much mended back. Under interrogation, Furlong insisted he did not know McCann and told the authorities that when he learned that McCann had been arrested, he believed that he was in the clear.. (Credit: Center on Wrongful Convictions, Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law). Again, McCann refused to falsely confess to knowing Furlong. These discoveries made it clear that the Michigan State Police detective, who had accused McCann of lying, had testified falsely about the video to Prosecutor McDonough. All of the charges stemmed from minor discrepancies between McCanns recall of the events surrounding Parracks disappearance five years earlier and the recollections of others. New York City and the New York Police Department have agreed to collectively pay millions to protesters who were arrested, detained or subjected to violence during a George Floyd demonstration in the Mott Haven section of the Bronx in June 2020, according to a court filing. He was sentenced to 20 months in prison in 2015. McCann, a reserve police officer, agreed to help participate in the search. Its going to take a while to recover. He and his new girlfriend just want to get this behind me and live our lives. The compensation, for 73-year-old Richard Phillips, was. The amount of compensation each person receives under WICA is based on how many years they were imprisoned up until their release. For more background information about the case, see Ken Kolkers Making a Monster on WOODTV. Couple Cleared of Wrongful Murder and Rape Convictions That Put Them Behind Bars for 27 Years, Kevin Strickland Exonerated After 43 Years in Prison Following Wrongful Conviction, Tx. He had been driving to the hospital for his grandsons birth when he was arrested, and was not freed until his 20-month sentence was up in December 2015 the month after Furlong pleaded guilty. McCann said under oath that he had parked at the trailhead and was prepared to search for Parrack there when he got a call and went elsewhere. These discoveries made it clear that the Michigan State Police detective, who had accused McCann of lying, had testified falsely about the video to Prosecutor McDonough. While elated that his legal nightmare is finally over, McCann is still trying to put the pieces of his life back together. He. Its been rough, he says. After spending 11 months in jail awaiting trial and facing a potential life sentence, McCann pleaded no contest to the count involving the Tumble Dam, believing he had no chance of acquittal if there was a video that contradicted his recollection, especially in a community convinced he had murdered Jodi Parrack.

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